Wedding planning: Finding the perfect dress!

Well after a lot of searching, I have finally found my dream wedding dress. Unfortunately it is way out of my budget! I don't really want to spend more than £300 on a dress (after all it is only for one day) so I have been searching through Ebay and websites such as Pre-Loved which sell second hand dresses. I am always a bit hesistant to buy a dress online which is why I hope to see one in 'real life' at some point. My main concerns are that the sizing will be wrong and returning is difficult or that I get conned...which is always a possiblity! I always had an image in my mind of my perfect wedding dress and this design called 'Shanna' by designers Sottero and Midgley just sums it all up:

•  Short sleeves (I don't like strapless wedding dresses and I don't like my arms!)
• A white dress
• Lots of pretty lace
• A vintage feel (particularly the 1950's)
• Long and flowing but not poufy (that is very important!)
• A nice fitted waist but not a corset (I want to be able to breath on my wedding day!)

 I am not in any major rush to get one but I am visiting a wedding fayre this weekend so if I saw something amazing for a good price then who knows?! It may seem strange to buy the dress before we book the venue but who cares! We will book things when we are ready and know for sure where we want to get married-we also have to think about food, the photos, music, transport...the list is endless so thank god for my wedding planner! The dress is important to me though, I want to feel beautiful when I walk down the aisle! I am dreaming of walking past a vintage shop and seeing some unique genuine 50's wedding dress for £200 but when does that ever happen in real life?

I have been browsing Pinterest for wedding dress inspiration and found this beauties which I love-what do you think?

In other news-it is my birthday tomorrow! I can't quite believe I am going to be 26, I still only feel about 18, lol. I had a wonderful weekend seeing my friends and going to the theatre with my mum and Michael-they have all made my birthday feel so special. Unfortunately I have to work tomorrow but when I get home I shall open presents, eat cake and get a nice Indian takeaway! Thank you to everyone who has given me lovely cards and gifts-I really appreciate the thought :) I will do a birthday blog in a few days! 

Until then xoxo